Battery, power consumption device, method and device for preparing a battery

ABSTRACT

Embodiments of the present application provide a battery. The battery includes: a battery cell comprising a pressure relief mechanism, the pressure relief mechanism being arranged in a first wall of the battery cell and the pressure relief mechanism being configured, when an internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell reaches a threshold, to be actuated to release the internal pressure; and a thermal management component for containing a fluid to adjust the temperature of the battery cell; wherein a first surface of the thermal management component is attached to the first wall, and the thermal management component is configured to be capable of being damaged when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, so that the fluid is discharged from inside of the thermal management component. According to the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the safety of the battery can be enhanced.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.17/113,038 filed on Dec. 5, 2020, which is a continuation ofInternational Application No. PCT/CN2020/101437, filed on Jul. 10, 2020,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

Embodiments of the application relate to the field of batteries, andmore particularly to a battery, a power consumption device, and a methodand a device for preparing a battery.

BACKGROUND

Energy saving and emission reduction are the key to the sustainabledevelopment of the automobile industry. In this case, electric vehicleshave become an important part of the sustainable development of theautomobile industry because of their advantages of energy saving andenvironmental friendliness. For the electric vehicles, the batterytechnology is an important factor related to their development.

In the development of the battery technology, in addition to improvingthe performance of batteries, safety is also an issue that cannot beignored. If the safety of the batteries cannot be ensured, the batteriescannot be used. Therefore, how to enhance the safety of the batteries isan urgent technical problem to be solved in the battery technology.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the application provides a battery, a power consumptiondevice, a method and a device for preparing a battery, which can enhancethe safety of the battery.

In a first aspect, a battery is provided, comprising: a battery cellcomprising a pressure relief mechanism, the pressure relief mechanismbeing arranged in a first wall of the battery cell and the pressurerelief mechanism being configured, when an internal pressure ortemperature of the battery cell reaches a threshold, to be actuated torelease the internal pressure; and a thermal management component forcontaining a fluid to adjust a temperature of the battery cell; whereina first surface of the thermal management component is attached to thefirst wall, and the thermal management component is configured to becapable of being damaged when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated,so that the fluid is discharged from inside of the thermal managementcomponent.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first surface of thethermal management component is attached to the first wall provided withthe pressure relief mechanism therein. As such, when the pressure reliefmechanism is actuated, emissions from the battery cell are dischargedtoward the thermal management component. Also, the thermal managementcomponent is configured to be capable of being damaged when the pressurerelief mechanism is actuated, so that a fluid is discharged from theinside of the thermal management component. As such, the fluid mayabsorb the heat from the battery cell, and reduce the temperature of theemissions. Due to the cooling of the fluid, the temperature of theemissions from the battery cell may be reduced rapidly, so that the riskcaused by the abnormality of a single battery cell can be suppressed inthe first time, the possibility of battery explosion can be reduced, andthe safety of the battery can be enhanced.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component is configured tobe capable of being damaged by emissions discharged from the batterycell when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, so that theemissions pass through the thermal management component.

With the actuation of the pressure relief mechanism, the emissionsdischarged from the battery cell pass through the thermal managementcomponent and quickly move away from the battery cell, which furtherreduces the risk caused by the emissions.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component is provided with arecess therein, a side surface of the recess is configured to be capableof being damaged by emissions discharged from the battery cell, so thatthe fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermal managementcomponent.

In some embodiments, a bottom wall of the recess is configured to becapable of being damaged by the emissions when the pressure reliefmechanism is actuated, so that the emissions pass through the thermalmanagement component.

In some embodiments, the side surface of the recess is configured to becapable of being broken through and/or melted by the emissions, so thatthe fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermal managementcomponent.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the recess is configured to becapable of being broken through and/or melted by the emissions, so thatthe emissions pass through the thermal management component.

In the case of use of the recess, when the pressure relief mechanism isactuated, the emissions from the battery cell rush into the recess.Since the bottom wall of the recess is relatively weak, the emissionswill damage the bottom wall of the recess and enter a collectionchamber. In addition, the emissions rushing into the recess also meltthe side face of the recess, so that the fluid is discharged from theinside of the thermal management component, thereby cooling the hotemissions.

In some embodiments, a radial dimension of the recess graduallydecreases in a direction away from the pressure relief mechanism. Thiscan increase the contact area with the emissions and facilitate thedamage by the emissions.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the recess is provided with aweakened zone, the weakened zone being configured to be capable of beingdamaged by the emissions when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated,so that the emissions pass through the weakened zone.

The provision of the weakened zone facilitates the emissions passingthrough the thermal management component.

In some embodiments, the weakened zone has a thickness less than orequal to 3 mm.

In some embodiments, the weakened zone has a lower melting point thanthe rest of the thermal management component.

In some embodiments, the material of the weakened zone has a meltingpoint below 400° C.

In some embodiments, the recess is provided in the first surface.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component comprises a firstthermally conductive plate and a second thermally conductive plate, thefirst thermally conductive plate is located between the first wall andthe second thermally conductive plate and attached to the first wall, afirst region of the first thermally conductive plate is recessed towardthe second thermally conductive plate to form the recess, and the firstregion is connected to the second thermally conductive plate.

In some embodiments, the first region is provided with a first throughhole, and a radial dimension of the first through hole is smaller thanthat of the recess.

In some embodiments, a thickness of the second thermally conductiveplate corresponding to the first through hole is smaller than that ofthe second thermally conductive plate in other regions. In this way, theweakened zone is more easily damaged by the emissions.

In some embodiments, the recess is configured as an avoidance chamberfor enabling the pressure relief mechanism to be opened when thepressure relief mechanism is actuated.

The avoidance chamber provides a deformation space for the pressurerelief mechanism, such that the pressure relief mechanism is deformedtoward the thermal management component and fractured.

In some embodiments, a depth of the recess is related to a size of thepressure relief mechanism.

In some embodiments, the recess has a depth greater than 1 mm.

In some embodiments, the area of an opening of the recess is related tothe area of the pressure relief mechanism.

In some embodiments, a ratio of an area of the opening of the recess toan area of the pressure relief mechanism ranges from 0.5 to 2.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the pressure relief mechanismprotrudes outward from the first wall, and the avoidance chamber isconfigured to accommodate the at least portion of the pressure reliefmechanism.

In some embodiments, a portion of the first wall around the pressurerelief mechanism protrudes outward, and the avoidance chamber isconfigured to accommodate an outward protruding portion of the firstwall around the pressure relief mechanism.

In this way, the first wall of the battery cell can be closely attachedto the surface of the thermal management component, which facilitatesthe fixation of the battery cell and can also save space and improve thethermal management efficiency. Moreover, when the pressure reliefmechanism is actuated, the emissions from the battery cell can bedischarged toward the avoidance chamber and away from the battery cell,thereby reducing the risk resulting from the emissions, so that thesafety of the battery can be enhanced.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component is provided with asecond through hole therein, the second through hole being configuredsuch that emissions discharged from the battery cell can pass throughthe thermal management component via the second through hole when thepressure relief mechanism is actuated.

In some embodiments, a hole wall of the second through hole isconfigured to be capable of being damaged by the emissions, so that thefluid is discharged from the inside of the thermal management component.

In some embodiments, the hole wall of the second through hole isconfigured to be capable of being broken through and/or melted by theemissions, so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of thethermal management component.

When the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, the emissions from thebattery cell rush into the second through hole. Since the emissions havehigh pressure and high temperature, the emissions further melt the holewall of the second through hole when passing through the second throughhole, so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermalmanagement component, thereby cooling the emissions.

In some embodiments, a radial dimension of the second through holegradually decreases in a direction away from the pressure reliefmechanism. This can increase the contact area with the emissions andfacilitate the damage by the emissions.

In some embodiments, an area of an opening of the second through hole isrelated to an area of the pressure relief mechanism.

In some embodiments, a ratio of the area of the opening of the secondthrough hole to the area of the pressure relief mechanism ranges from0.5 to 2.

In some embodiments, at least a portion of the pressure relief mechanismprotrudes from the first wall, and the second through hole is used toaccommodate the at least portion of the pressure relief mechanism.

In this way, the first wall of the battery cell can be closely attachedto the surface of the thermal management component, which facilitatesthe fixation of the battery cell and can also save space and improve thethermal management efficiency. Moreover, when the pressure reliefmechanism is actuated, the emissions from the battery cell can bedischarged toward the second through hole and away from the batterycell, thereby reducing the risk resulting from the emissions, so thatthe safety of the battery can be enhanced.

In some embodiments, a portion of the first wall around the pressurerelief mechanism protrudes outward, and the second through hole is usedto accommodate an outward protruding portion of the first wall aroundthe pressure relief mechanism.

In some embodiments, the pressure relief mechanism is provided with abreaking device, the breaking device being used to damage the thermalmanagement component when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, sothat the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermal managementcomponent.

In some embodiments, the breaking device is a spike.

In some embodiments, the battery further comprises: an electricalchamber for accommodating a plurality of the battery cells; and acollection chamber for collecting emissions discharged from the batterycells and emissions from the thermal management component when thepressure relief mechanism is actuated; wherein the thermal managementcomponent is configured to isolate the electrical chamber from thecollection chamber.

The electrical chamber for accommodating the battery cells is separatedfrom the collection chamber for collecting the emissions by means of thethermal management component. When the pressure relief mechanism isactuated, the emissions from the battery cell enter the collectionchamber, rather than the electrical chamber or with a little thereofentering the electrical chamber, such that the electrical connections inthe electrical chamber will not be affected, and the safety of thebattery thus can be enhanced.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component has a wall sharedby the electrical chamber and the collection chamber.

Since the thermal management component has the wall shared by theelectrical chamber and the collection chamber, the emissions can beisolated from the electrical chamber as far as possible, thus reducingthe risk resulting from the emissions and enhancing the safety of thebattery.

In some embodiments, the battery further comprises: a protective member,the protective member being configured to protect the thermal managementcomponent, and the protective member and the thermal managementcomponent forming the collection chamber.

The collection chamber formed by the protective member and the thermalmanagement component can effectively collect and buffer the emissionsand reduce the risk resulting therefrom.

In some embodiments, the electrical chamber is isolated from thecollection chamber by the thermal management component.

The collection chamber is not in communication with the electricalchamber, and liquid or gas, etc. in the collection chamber cannot enterthe electrical chamber, so that the electrical chamber can be betterprotected.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component is configured toenable the emissions discharged from the battery cell to pass throughthe thermal management component and enter the collection chamber whenthe pressure relief mechanism is actuated.

In some embodiments, a second wall of the battery cell is provided withan electrode terminal, and the second wall is different from the firstwall.

The pressure relief mechanism and the electrode terminals are providedon different walls of the battery cell, such that when the pressurerelief mechanism is actuated, the emissions from the battery cell can befarther away from the electrode terminals, thereby reducing the impactof the emissions on the electrode terminals and a bus component andtherefore enhancing the safety of the battery.

In some embodiments, the second wall is arranged opposite to the firstwall.

In some embodiments, the pressure relief mechanism is atemperature-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to be capableof being melted when an internal temperature of the battery cell reachesa threshold; and/or the pressure relief mechanism is apressure-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to be capable ofbeing ruptured when an internal pressure of the battery cell reaches athreshold.

In a second aspect, a power consumption device is provided, comprising:a battery of the first aspect.

In some embodiments, the power consumption device is a vehicle, a shipor a spacecraft.

In a third aspect, a method for preparing a battery is provided,comprising: providing a battery cell comprising a pressure reliefmechanism, the pressure relief mechanism being arranged in a first wallof the battery cell and the pressure relief mechanism being configured,when an internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell reaches athreshold, to be actuated to release the internal pressure; providing athermal management component, the thermal management component beingused to contain a fluid; and attaching a first surface of the thermalmanagement component to the first wall, wherein the thermal managementcomponent can be damaged when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated,so that the fluid is discharged from inside of the thermal managementcomponent.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component can be damaged byemissions discharged from the battery cell when the pressure reliefmechanism is actuated, so that the emissions pass through the thermalmanagement component.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component is provided with arecess therein, and a bottom wall of the recess can be damaged by theemissions discharged from the battery cell when the pressure reliefmechanism is actuated, so that the emissions pass through the thermalmanagement component, and the side surface of the recess can be damagedby the emissions, so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of thethermal management component.

In some embodiments, the bottom wall of the recess is provided with aweakened zone, the weakened zone being configured to be capable of beingdamaged by emissions when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, sothat the emissions pass through the weakened zone.

In some embodiments, the thermal management component is provided with asecond through hole, the emissions discharged from the battery cell canpass through the thermal management component via the second throughhole when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, and a hole wall ofthe second through hole can be damaged by the emissions, so that thefluid is discharged from inside of the thermal management component.

In a fourth aspect, a device for preparing a battery is provided,comprising a module for carrying out the method of the third aspectdescribed above.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings described herein are intended to provide afurther understanding of the present application, which constitute apart of the present application. The illustrative embodiments of thepresent application and the description thereof are for explaining thepresent application and do not constitute an undue limitation of thepresent application. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a vehicle according to an embodiment ofthe present application;

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery according to anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery module accordingto an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a battery cell according to an embodimentof the present application;

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a battery cell according to anotherembodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic structural diagrams of the structure of thebattery according to some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 8 a is a schematic plan view of the battery according to anembodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 b is a schematic diagram of a cross section of the battery shownin FIG. 8 a taken along the line A-A;

FIG. 8 c is an enlarged view of a part B of the battery shown in FIG. 8b;

FIG. 9 a is a schematic perspective view of a thermal managementcomponent according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 b is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of the thermalmanagement component of FIG. 9 a taken along A-A;

FIG. 9 c is an exploded view of a thermal management component accordingto an embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 10-17 are schematic structural diagrams of the battery accordingto some embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a battery according to an embodiment ofthe present application;

FIG. 19 is a schematic flowchart of a method for preparing a batteryaccording to an embodiment of the present application; and

FIG. 20 is a schematic block diagram of a device for preparing a batteryaccording to an embodiment of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

In order to make objects, technical solutions and advantages ofembodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutionsin the embodiments of the present application will be clearly describedbelow with reference to the drawings for the embodiments of the presentapplication. Apparently, the described embodiments are some of, ratherthan all of, the embodiments of the present application. All the otherembodiments obtained by a person of ordinary skill in the art based onthe embodiments of the present application without any creative effortshall fall within the scope of protection of the present application.

Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used in thepresent application have the same meanings as those commonly understoodby those skilled in the art to which the present application belongs.The terms used in the specification of the present application aremerely for the purpose of describing specific embodiments, but are notintended to limit the present application. The terms “comprising” and“having” and any variations thereof in the specification and the claimsof the present application as well as the foregoing description of theaccompanying drawings are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions.The terms “first”, “second” and the like in the specification and theclaims of the present application as well as the above drawings are usedto distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specificorder or primary-secondary relationship.

The phrase “embodiments” referred to in the present application meansthat the descriptions of specific features, structures, andcharacteristics in combination with the embodiments are included in atleast one embodiment of the present application. The phrase at variouslocations in the specification does not necessarily refer to the sameembodiment, or an independent or alternative embodiment exclusive ofanother embodiment. Those skilled in the art understand, in explicit andimplicit manners, that an embodiment described in the presentapplication may be combined with another embodiment.

In the description of the present application, it should be noted thatunless otherwise explicitly specified and defined, the terms “mounting”,“connecting”, “connection” and “attaching” should be understood in abroad sense, for example, they may be a fixed connection, a detachableconnection, or an integrated connection; may be a direct connection andmay also be an indirect connection via an intermediate medium, or may becommunication between the interiors of two elements. A person ofordinary skill in the art may understand the specific meanings of theforegoing terms in the present application according to specificcircumstances.

In the present application, the term “and/or” is only an associationrelation describing associated objects, which means that there may bethree relations, for example, A and/or B may represent three situations:A exists alone, both A and B exist, and B exists alone. In addition, thecharacter “/” in the present application generally indicates that theassociated objects before and after the character are in an “or”relation.

In the present application, “a plurality of” means two or more(including two), similarly, “a plurality of groups” means two or moregroups (including two groups), and “a plurality of sheets” means two ormore sheets (including two sheets).

In the present application, a battery cell may include a lithium-ionsecondary battery, a lithium-ion primary battery, a lithium-sulfurbattery, a sodium/lithium-ion battery, a sodium-ion battery or amagnesium-ion battery, etc., which is not limited by the embodiments ofthe present application. The battery cell may be cylindrical, flat,cuboid or in another shape, which is not limited by the embodiments ofthe present application. The battery cell is generally divided intothree types according to the way of packaging: a cylindrical batterycell, a prismatic battery cell and a pouch battery cell, which is notlimited by the embodiments of the present application.

A battery mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refersto a single physical module including one or more battery cells toprovide a higher voltage and capacity. For example, the batterymentioned in the present application may include a battery module or abattery pack, etc. The battery generally includes a case for enclosingone or more battery cells. The case can prevent liquid or other foreignmatters from affecting the charging or discharging of the battery cell.

The battery cell includes an electrode assembly and an electrolyticsolution, and the electrode assembly is composed of a positive electrodesheet, a negative electrode sheet and an isolation film. The operationof the battery cell mainly relies on the movement of metal ions betweenthe positive electrode sheet and the negative electrode sheet. Thepositive electrode sheet includes a positive electrode current collectorand a positive electrode active material layer. The positive electrodeactive material layer is coated on a surface of the positive electrodecurrent collector, and the current collector not coated with thepositive electrode active material layer protrudes from the currentcollector coated with the positive electrode active material layer andis used as a positive electrode tab. Taking a lithium-ion battery as anexample, the material of the positive electrode current collector may bealuminum, and the positive electrode active material may be lithiumcobalt oxides, lithium iron phosphate, ternary lithium or lithiummanganate, etc. The negative electrode sheet includes a negativeelectrode current collector and a negative electrode active materiallayer. The negative electrode active material layer is coated on asurface of the negative electrode current collector, and the currentcollector not coated with the negative electrode active material layerprotrudes from the current collector coated with the negative electrodeactive material layer and is used as a negative electrode tab. Thematerial of the negative electrode current collector may be copper, andthe negative electrode active material may be carbon or silicon, etc. Inorder to ensure that no fusing occurs when a large current passes, thereare a plurality of positive electrode tabs which are stacked together,and there are a plurality of negative electrode tabs which are stackedtogether. The material of the isolation film may be PP or PE, etc. Inaddition, the electrode assembly may have a coiled structure or alaminated structure, and the embodiments of the present application arenot limited thereto. With the development of the battery technology, itis necessary to consider many design factors, such as energy density,cycle life, discharge capacity, C-rate and other performance parameters.In addition, the safety of the battery should also be considered.

With respect to the battery cell, the main safety hazards come from thecharging and discharging processes, and a suitable environmentaltemperature design is also required. In order to effectively avoidunnecessary losses, at least triple protection measures are generallytaken for the battery cell. Specifically, the protection measuresinclude at least a switching element, a properly selected isolation filmmaterial and a pressure relief mechanism. The switching element refersto an element that can stop the charging or discharging of the batterywhen the temperature or resistance in the battery cell reaches a certainthreshold. The isolation film is configured to isolate the positiveelectrode sheet from the negative electrode sheet and can automaticallydissolve micron-sized (or even nanoscale) micropores attached to theisolation film when the temperature rises to a certain value, thuspreventing metal ions from passing through the isolation film andterminating the internal reaction of the battery cell.

The pressure relief mechanism refers to an element or component that isactuated to release an internal pressure or temperature when theinternal pressure or temperature of the battery cell reaches apredetermined threshold. The threshold design is different according todifferent design requirements. The threshold may depend on the materialof one or more of the positive electrode sheet, the negative electrodesheet, the electrolytic solution and the isolation film in the batterycell. The pressure relief mechanism may take the form of ananti-explosion valve, an air valve, a pressure relief valve or a safetyvalve, etc., and may specifically adopt a pressure-sensitive ortemperature-sensitive element or structure. That is, when the internalpressure or temperature of the battery cell reaches a predeterminedthreshold, the pressure relief mechanism performs an action or aweakened structure provided in the pressure relief mechanism is damaged,so as to form an opening or channel for releasing the internal pressureor temperature.

The “actuation” mentioned in the present application means that thepressure relief mechanism acts or is activated to a certain state, suchthat the internal pressure and temperature of the battery cell can bereleased. The action executed by the pressure relief mechanism mayinclude but is not limited to: at least a portion of the pressure reliefmechanism being fractured, broken, torn or opened, etc. When thepressure relief mechanism is actuated, high-temperature andhigh-pressure substances inside the battery cell are discharged outwardsfrom an actuated position as emissions. In this way, the pressure andtemperature in the battery cell can be released at a controllablepressure or temperature, thereby avoiding potentially more seriousaccidents.

The emissions from the battery cell mentioned in the present applicationinclude but are not limited to: the electrolytic solution, dissolved orsplit positive and negative electrode sheets, fragments of the isolationfilm, high-temperature and high-pressure gas generated by reaction,flame, etc.

The pressure relief mechanism on the battery cell has an importantimpact on the safety of the battery. For example, when short circuit,overcharge and other phenomena occur, it may lead to thermal runawayinside the battery cell, resulting in a sudden increase in pressure ortemperature. In this case, the internal pressure and temperature can bereleased outward through the actuation of the pressure relief mechanism,to prevent the battery cell from exploding and catching fire.

In the current design solutions of the pressure relief mechanism, themain concern is to release the high pressure and high temperature insidethe battery cell, i.e., to discharge the emissions to the outside of thebattery cell. However, in order to ensure an output voltage or currentof the battery, a plurality of battery cells are often required andelectrically connected to each other via a bus component. The emissionsdischarged from the interior of a battery cell may cause short circuitof the other battery cells. For example, when discharged metal scrapselectrically connect two bus components, the battery may beshort-circuited, thereby posing a potential safety hazard. Moreover, thehigh-temperature and high-pressure emissions are discharged in adirection of the pressure relief mechanism provided in the battery cell,and more specifically, may be discharged in a direction of a regionwhere the pressure relief mechanism is actuated. The strength anddestructive power of such emissions may be great, or may even be enoughto break through one or more structures in this direction, causingfurther safety problems.

In view of this, the embodiments of the application provide a technicalsolution in which a wall of the battery cell provided with the pressurerelief mechanism is attached to the thermal management component, andthe thermal management component is damaged by means of the actuation ofthe pressure relief mechanism, so that a fluid inside the thermalmanagement component is discharged and may cool down the emissions toreduce the risk caused by the emissions, thereby enhancing the safety ofthe battery.

The thermal management component is configured to accommodate a fluid toadjust temperatures of a plurality of battery cells. The fluid here maybe liquid or gas, and temperature adjustment means heating or coolingthe plurality of battery cells. In the case of cooling or lowering thetemperatures of the battery cells, the thermal management component isconfigured to accommodate a cooling fluid to lower the temperatures ofthe plurality of battery cells. In this case, the thermal managementcomponent may also be called a cooling component, a cooling system or acooling plate, etc. The fluid accommodated by the thermal managementcomponent may also be called a cooling medium or a cooling fluid, andmore specifically, may be called a cooling liquid or a cooling gas. Inaddition, the thermal management component can also be used for heatingto raise the temperatures of the plurality of battery cells, which isnot limited by the embodiments of the present application. Optionally,the fluid can flow in a circulating manner to achieve better temperatureadjustment effects. Optionally, the fluid may be water, a mixture ofwater and ethylene glycol, or air, etc.

The electrical chamber mentioned in the present application is used toaccommodate multiple battery cells and a bus component. The electricalchamber may be sealed or unsealed. The electrical chamber provides aninstallation space for the battery cells and the bus component. In someembodiments, a structure configured to fix the battery cells may also beprovided in the electrical chamber. The shape of the electrical chambermay be determined according to the plurality of battery cells and thebus component which are accommodated therein. In some embodiments, theelectrical chamber may be a cube with six walls. Since the battery cellsin the electrical chamber form higher voltage output through electricalconnection, the electrical chamber may also be called a “high-voltagechamber”.

The bus component mentioned in the present application is used torealize the electrical connection between the plurality of batterycells, such as parallel or series connection or parallel-seriesconnection. The bus component may implement the electrical connectionbetween the battery cells by connecting electrode terminals of thebattery cells. In some embodiments, the bus component may be fixed tothe electrode terminals of the battery cells by means of welding.Corresponding to the “high-voltage chamber”, the electrical connectionformed by the bus component may also be called “high-voltageconnection”.

The collection chamber mentioned in the present application is used tocollect the emissions and can be sealed or non-sealed. In someembodiments, the collection chamber may contain air or another gas. Inthe collection chamber there is no electrical connection to the voltageoutput. Corresponding to the “high-voltage chamber”, the collectionchamber may also be called a “low-voltage chamber”. Optionally, oradditionally, the collection chamber may also contain liquid, such as acooling medium, or a component for accommodating the liquid may also beprovided in the collection chamber to further cool the emissionsentering the collection chamber. Further, optionally, the gas or theliquid in the collection chamber flows in a circulating manner.

The technical solutions described in the embodiments of the presentapplication are all applicable to various devices using batteries, suchas mobile phones, portable apparatuses, notebook computers,electromobiles, electronic toys, electric tools, electric vehicles,ships and spacecrafts. For example, the spacecrafts include airplanes,rockets, space shuttles, spaceships, etc.

It should be understood that the technical solutions described in theembodiments of the present application are not only applicable to theforegoing apparatuses, but also applicable to all apparatuses usingbatteries. However, for the sake of brevity, the following embodimentstake electric vehicles as an example for description.

For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a vehicle 1according to an embodiment of the present application. The vehicle 1 maybe a fuel vehicle, a gas vehicle or a new-energy vehicle. The new-energyvehicle may be a battery electric vehicle, a hybrid vehicle or anextended-range vehicle, or the like. A motor 40, a controller 30 and abattery 10 may be provided inside the vehicle 1, and the controller 30is configured to control the battery 10 to supply power to the motor 40.For example, the battery 10 may be provided at the bottom or the head orthe tail of the vehicle 1. The battery 10 may be configured to supplypower to the vehicle 1. For example, the battery 10 can be used as anoperation power supply of the vehicle 1 and is used for a circuit systemof the vehicle 1, for example, for a working power demand of the vehicle1 during startup, navigation and running. In another embodiment of thepresent application, the battery 10 can be used not only as an operationpower supply of the vehicle 1, but also as a driving power supply of thevehicle 1, replacing or partially replacing fuel or natural gas toprovide driving power for the vehicle 1.

In order to meet different power requirements, the battery may include aplurality of battery cells, wherein the plurality of battery cells maybe in series connection, parallel connection or series-parallelconnection. The series-parallel connection refers to a combination ofseries connection and parallel connection. The battery may also becalled a battery pack. Optionally, the plurality of battery cells may befirst connected in series, in parallel or in series and parallel to formbattery modules, and then the multiple battery modules are connected inseries, in parallel or in series and parallel to form a battery. Thatis, a plurality of battery cells may directly form a battery, or mayfirst form battery modules, and then the battery modules form a battery.

For example, as shown in FIG. 2 , which is a schematic structuraldiagram of a battery 10 according to an embodiment of the presentapplication, the battery 10 may include a plurality of battery cells 20.The battery 10 may further include a case (or a covering) with theinterior thereof being a hollow structure, and the plurality of batterycells 20 are accommodated in the case. As shown in FIG. 2 , the case mayinclude two portions, which are referred to as a first portion 111 and asecond portion 112, respectively, and the first portion 111 and thesecond portion 112 are fastened together. The shapes of the firstportion 111 and the second portion 112 may be determined according tothe shape of the combined plurality of battery cells 20, and the firstportion 111 and the second portion 112 may each have an opening. Forexample, the first portion 111 and the second portion 112 each may be ahollow cuboid and each have only one surface with an opening, and theopening of the first portion 111 is arranged opposite to the opening ofthe second portion 112. The first portion 111 and the second portion 112are fastened to each other to form a case with a closed chamber. Theplurality of battery cells 20 are combined in parallel connection orseries connection or series-parallel connection and are then placed inthe case formed by fastening the first portion 111 to the second portion112.

Optionally, the battery 10 may also include other structures, which willnot be described in detail herein. For example, the battery 10 may alsoinclude a bus component. The bus component is configured to implementthe electric connection between the plurality of battery cells 20, suchas parallel connection, series connection or series-parallel connection.Specifically, the bus component may implement the electrical connectionbetween the battery cells 20 by connecting electrode terminals of thebattery cells 20. Further, the bus component may be fixed to theelectrode terminals of the battery cells 20 by means of welding.Electric energy of the plurality of battery cells 20 can be further ledout through an electrically conductive mechanism passing through thecase. Optionally, the electrically conductive mechanism may also belongto the bus component.

According to different power requirements, the number of the batterycells 20 may be set to any value. The plurality of battery cells 20 canbe connected in series, in parallel or in series and parallel toimplement larger capacity or power. Since there may be many batterycells 20 included in each battery 10, the battery cells 20 may bearranged in groups for convenience of installation, and each group ofbattery cells 20 constitutes a battery module. The number of the batterycells 20 included in the battery module is not limited and may be set asrequired. For example, FIG. 3 shows an example of a battery module. Thebattery may include a plurality of battery modules, and these batterymodules may be connected in series, in parallel or in series andparallel.

FIG. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of a battery cell 20 accordingto an embodiment of the present application. The battery cell 20includes one or more electrode assemblies 22, a housing 211 and a coverplate 212. The coordinate system shown in FIG. 4 is the same as that inFIG. 3 . The housing 211 and the cover plate 212 form a shell or abattery box 21. A wall of the housing 211 and the cover plate 212 areeach referred to as a wall of the battery cell 20. The housing 211 isshaped according to the shape of one or more electrode assemblies 22after combination. For example, the housing 211 may be a hollow cuboidor cube or cylinder, and one surface of the housing 211 has an openingsuch that one or more electrode assemblies 22 can be placed in thehousing 211. For example, when the housing 211 is a hollow cuboid orcube, one plane of the housing 211 is an opening surface, i.e., theplane does not have a wall, so that the inside and outside of thehousing 211 are in communication with each other. When the housing 211is a hollow cylinder, an end face of the housing 211 is an openingsurface, i.e., the end face does not have a wall, so that the inside andoutside of the housing 211 are in communication with each other. Thecover plate 212 covers the opening and is connected to the housing 211to form a closed cavity in which the electrode assembly 22 is placed.The housing 211 is filled with an electrolyte, such as an electrolyticsolution.

The battery cell 20 may further include two electrode terminals 214, andthe two electrode terminals 214 may be provided on the cover plate 212.The cover plate 212 is generally in the shape of a flat plate, and thetwo electrode terminals 214 are fixed on a flat plate surface of thecover plate 212. The two electrode terminals 214 are a positiveelectrode terminal 214 a and a negative electrode terminal 214 b,respectively. Each electrode terminal 214 is correspondingly providedwith a connecting member 23 also called a current collecting member 23,which is located between the cover plate 212 and the electrode assembly22 and configured to electrically connect the electrode assembly 22 tothe electrode terminal 214.

As shown in FIG. 4 , each electrode assembly 22 has a first electrodetab 221 a and a second electrode tab 222 a. The first electrode tab 221a and the second electrode tab 222 a have opposite polarities. Forexample, when the first electrode tab 221 a is a positive electrode tab,the second electrode tab 222 a is a negative electrode tab. The firstelectrode tab 221 a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 is connectedto one electrode terminal via one connecting member 23, and the secondelectrode tab 222 a of one or more electrode assemblies 22 is connectedto the other electrode terminal via the other connecting member 23. Forexample, the positive electrode terminal 214 a is connected to thepositive electrode tab via one connecting member 23, and the negativeelectrode terminal 214 b is connected to the negative electrode tab viathe other connecting member 23.

In this battery cell 20, according to actual use requirements, there maybe a single or a plurality of electrode assemblies 22. As shown in FIG.4 , there are four separate electrode assemblies 22 in the battery cell20.

A schematic structural diagram of a battery cell 20 including a pressurerelief mechanism 213 according to another embodiment of the presentapplication is shown in FIG. 5 .

The housing 211, the cover plate 212, the electrode assembly 22 and theconnecting member 23 in FIG. 5 are consistent with the housing 211, thecover plate 212, the electrode assembly 22 and the connecting member 23in FIG. 4 , which will not be repeated here for brevity.

One wall of the battery cell 20, such as a first wall 21 a shown in FIG.5 , may be further provided with a pressure relief mechanism 213. Forconvenience of display, the first wall 21 a is separated from thehousing 211 in FIG. 5 , but this does not specify that a bottom side ofthe housing 211 has an opening. The pressure relief mechanism 213 isconfigured, when an internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell20 reaches a threshold, to be actuated to release the internal pressureor temperature.

The pressure relief mechanism 213 may be a portion of the first wall 21a or is split from the first wall 21 a and fixed to the first wall 21 aby means of welding, for example. When the pressure relief mechanism 213is a portion of the first wall 21 a, e.g., the pressure relief mechanism213 can be formed by providing an indentation on the first wall 21 a,and the thickness of the first wall 21 a corresponding to theindentation is smaller than that of other regions of the pressure reliefmechanism 213 except the indentation. The indentation is the weakestposition of the pressure relief mechanism 213. When excessive gasgenerated by the battery cell 20 causes the internal pressure of thehousing 211 to rise and reach a threshold, or the internal temperatureof the battery cell 20 rises and reaches a threshold due to the heatgenerated by the internal reaction of the battery cell 20, the pressurerelief mechanism 213 can be fractured at the indentation, resulting inthe communication between the inside and outside of the housing 211. Thegas pressure and temperature are released outward through the crackingof the pressure relief mechanism 213, thereby preventing the batterycell 20 from exploding.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown inFIG. 5 , in the case where the pressure relief mechanism 213 is providedat the first wall 21 a of the battery cell 20, a second wall of thebattery cell 20 is provided with electrode terminals 214 and isdifferent from the first wall 21 a.

Optionally, the second wall is arranged opposite to the first wall 21 a.For example, the first wall 21 a may be a bottom wall of the batterycell 20, and the second wall may be a top wall of the battery cell 20,i.e., the cover plate 212.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 5 , the battery cell 20 may also include abacking plate 24. The backing plate 24 is located between the electrodeassembly 22 and the bottom wall of the housing 211, can support theelectrode assembly 22, and can also effectively prevent the electrodeassembly 22 from interfering with rounded corners around the bottom wallof the housing 211. In addition, the backing plate 24 may be providedwith one or more through holes, e.g., the backing plate may be providedwith a plurality of uniformly arranged through holes, or when thepressure relief mechanism 213 is provided on the bottom wall of thehousing 211, through holes are formed at positions corresponding to thepressure relief mechanism 213 for facilitating the guiding of liquid andgas. Specifically, this can communicate spaces of an upper surface and alower surface of the backing plate 24, and gas generated inside thebattery cell 20 and the electrolytic solution can freely pass throughthe backing plate 24.

The pressure relief mechanism 213 and the electrode terminals 214 areprovided on different walls of the battery cell 20, such that when thepressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, the emissions from thebattery cell 20 can be farther away from the electrode terminals 214,thereby reducing the impact of the emissions on the electrode terminals214 and the bus component and therefore enhancing the safety of thebattery.

Further, when the electrode terminals 214 are provided on the coverplate 212 of the battery cell 20, the pressure relief mechanism 213 isprovided on the bottom wall of the battery cell 20, such that when thepressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, the emissions from thebattery cell 20 can are discharged to the bottom of the battery 10. Inthis way, the risk resulting from the emissions can be reduced by usingthe thermal management component at the bottom of the battery 10, andthe harm to users can be reduced because the bottom of the battery 10 isusually far away from the users.

The pressure relief mechanism 213 may have various possible pressurerelief structures, which is not limited by the embodiments of thepresent application. For example, the pressure relief mechanism 213 maybe a temperature-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to becapable of being melted when the internal temperature of the batterycell 20 provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213 reaches athreshold; and/or the pressure relief mechanism 213 may be apressure-sensitive pressure relief mechanism configured to be capable ofbeing fractured when the internal gas pressure of the battery cell 20provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213 reaches a threshold.

FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a battery 10 according to an embodimentof the present application. As shown in FIG. 6 , the battery 10 mayinclude the battery cell 20 and the thermal management component 13.

The battery cell 20 includes the pressure relief mechanism 213, thepressure relief mechanism 213 is arranged in the first wall 21 a of thebattery cell 20, and the pressure relief mechanism 213 is configured,when the internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reachesa threshold, to be actuated to release the internal pressure ortemperature. For example, the battery cell 20 may be the battery cell 20in FIG. 5 .

The thermal management component 13 is configured to accommodate a fluidto adjust the temperature of the plurality of battery cells 20. In thecase of lowering the temperature of the battery cells 20, the thermalmanagement component 13 may accommodate a cooling medium to adjust thetemperature of the plurality of battery cells 20. In this case, thethermal management component 13 may also be called a cooling component,a cooling system or a cooling plate, etc. In addition, the thermalmanagement component 13 can also be used for heating, which is notlimited by the embodiments of the present application. Optionally, thefluid can flow in a circulating manner to achieve better temperatureadjustment effects.

A first surface of the thermal management component 13 (an upper surfaceshown in FIG. 6 ) is attached to the first wall 21 a. That is, the wallof the battery cell 20 provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213is attached to the thermal management component 13. The thermalmanagement component 13 is configured to be capable of being damagedwhen the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, so that the fluid isdischarged from the inside of the thermal management component 13.

In an embodiment of the present application, the first surface of thethermal management component 13 is attached to the first wall 21 aprovided with the pressure relief mechanism 213 therein. As such, whenthe pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, the emissions from thebattery cell 20 are discharged toward the thermal management component13. Also, the thermal management component 13 is configured to becapable of being damaged when the pressure relief mechanism 213 isactuated, so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermalmanagement component 13. As such, the fluid can absorb the heat from thebattery cell 20, and reduces the temperature of the emissions. Due tothe cooling of the fluid, the temperature of the emissions from thebattery cell 20 may be reduced rapidly, so that the risk caused by theabnormality of a single battery cell 20 can be suppressed in the firsttime, the possibility of battery explosion can be reduced, and thesafety of the battery can be enhanced.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the application, the thermal managementcomponent 13 may further be configured to be capable of being damaged bythe emissions discharged from the battery cell 20 when the pressurerelief mechanism 213 is actuated, so that the emissions pass through thethermal management component 13.

Specifically, when the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, on theone hand, the emissions discharged from the battery cell 20 may damagethe thermal management component 13 and pass through the thermalmanagement component 13 to move away from the battery cell 20, and onthe other hand, the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermalmanagement component 13 while cooling the hot emissions. Since thetemperature of the emissions is very high, no matter whether the fluidis used to heat or cool the battery cell 20, the temperature of thefluid is lower than the temperature of the emissions, so that theemissions can be cooled. As such, the emissions may be cooled on the onehand, and are drained away through the thermal management component 13on the other hand, and the risk caused thereby is reduced as much aspossible, allowing for enhancing the safety of the battery.

In the embodiments of the present application, various possible ways canbe used to allow the thermal management component 13 to be damaged whenthe pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, as described below by wayof examples.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7 , in an embodiment of the presentapplication, the thermal management component 13 is provided with arecess 134 therein, and a side surface of the recess 134 is configuredto be capable of being damaged by the emissions discharged from thebattery cell 20, so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of thethermal management component 13. For example, the side surface of therecess 134 is configured to be capable of being broken through and/ormelted by the emissions, so that the fluid is discharged from the insideof the thermal management component 13.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, a bottom wallof the recess 134 is configured to be damaged by the emissions when thepressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, so that the emissions passthrough the thermal management component 13. For example, the bottomwall of the recess 134 is configured to be capable of being brokenthrough and/or melted by the emissions, so that the emissions passthrough the thermal management component 13.

In the case of use of the recess 134, when the pressure relief mechanism213 is actuated, the emissions from the battery cell 20 rush into therecess 134. Since the bottom wall of the recess 134 is relatively weak,the emissions will damage the bottom wall of the recess 134 and passthrough the thermal management component 13. In addition, the emissionsrushing into the recess 134 also melt the side face of the recess 134,so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermalmanagement component 13, thereby cooling the hot emissions.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the radialdimension of the recess 134 gradually decreases in a direction away fromthe pressure relief mechanism 213. That is, the side face of the recess134 is an inclined plane. This can increase the contact area with theemissions and facilitate the damage by the emissions. For example, aninclination angle of the side face of the recess 134 (an included anglebetween the side face and the plane where the bottom wall is located)may be in the range from 15° to 85°.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 7 , in an embodiment of the presentapplication, in order to facilitate passage of the emissions through thethermal management component 13, the bottom wall of the recess 134 isprovided with a weakened zone 135, and the weakened zone 135 isconfigured to be damaged by the emissions when the pressure reliefmechanism 213 is actuated, so that the emissions pass through theweakened zone 135.

Optionally, the weakened zone 135 may be arranged opposite to thepressure relief mechanism 213. As such, when the pressure reliefmechanism 213 is actuated, the emissions can directly impact on theweakened zone to open the weakened zone 135.

The weakened zone 135 can adopt various arrangements that facilitatedamage by the emissions, which is not limited by the embodiments of thepresent application.

Optionally, the recess 134 may be provided in the first surface, thatis, the recess 134 is provided in a surface of the thermal managementcomponent 13 facing the first wall 21 a. That is, an opening surface ofthe recess 134 faces the first wall 21 a.

It should be understood that the opening of the recess 134 may also faceaway from the first wall 21 a. In this case, the bottom wall of therecess 134 is also easily damaged by the emissions.

The thermal management component 13 can form a fluid flow channel from athermally conductive material. The fluid flows in the flow channel, andconducts heat through the thermally conductive material to adjust thetemperature of the battery cell 20. Optionally, the weakened zone mayonly have the thermally conductive material and no fluid to form arelatively thin thermally conductive material layer, which is easilydamaged by the emissions. For example, the bottom wall of the recess 134may be a thin thermally conductive material layer to form the weakenedzone 135.

Optionally, as shown in FIGS. 8 a to 8 c , in an embodiment of thepresent application, the thermal management component 13 may include afirst thermally conductive plate 131 and a second thermally conductiveplate 132. The first thermally conductive plate 131 and the secondthermally conductive plate 132 form a flow channel 133 for accommodatinga fluid. The first thermally conductive plate 131 is located between thefirst wall 21 a and the second thermally conductive plate 132 and isattached to the first wall 21 a. A first region 131 a of the firstthermally conductive plate 131 is recessed toward the second thermallyconductive plate 132 to form a recess 134, and the first region 131 a isconnected to the second thermally conductive plate 132. In this way, aflow channel 133 is formed around the recess 134, while no flow channelis formed in the bottom wall of the recess 134, thus forming a weakenedzone.

Optionally, the first thermally conductive plate 131 or the secondthermally conductive plate 132 at the bottom wall of the recess 134 mayalso be removed to form a thinner weakened zone. For example, as shownin FIG. 8 c , in an embodiment of the present application, the firstregion 131 a is provided with a first through hole 136, and a radialdimension of the first through hole 136 is smaller than that of therecess 134. That is, the first thermally conductive plate 131 at thebottom wall of the recess 134 is removed, and the connection between thefirst thermally conductive plate 131 and the second thermally conductiveplate 132 is remained at the bottom edge of the recess 134 to form aflow channel 133 around the recess 134.

Optionally, the second thermally conductive plate 132 corresponding tothe first through hole 136 may also be thinned. That is, the thicknessof the second thermally conductive plate 132 corresponding to the firstthrough hole 136 is smaller than that of the second thermally conductiveplate 132 in other regions, such that the weakened zone is more easilydamaged by the emissions. Optionally, a weakened recess may also beprovided on the second thermally conductive plate 132 corresponding tothe first through hole 136.

FIGS. 9 a to 9 c show schematic diagrams of the thermal managementcomponent 13. As shown in FIGS. 9 a to 9 c , the first thermallyconductive plate 131 is recessed to form a recess 134, and a region ofthe second thermally conductive plate 132 corresponding to the recess134 has no flow channel and is provided with a weakened recess 132 a. Inthis way, after the first thermally conductive plate 131 and the secondthermally conductive plate 132 are connected to each other, a weakenedzone is formed at the bottom wall of the recess 134.

It should be understood that the bottom wall of the recess 134 can bethinned by other thinning methods. For example, a blind hole or astepped hole may be formed in the first region 131 a of the firstthermally conductive plate 131; and/or a blind hole is formed in thesecond thermally conductive plate 132.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the weakenedzone 135 has a thickness less than or equal to 3 mm. For example, theweakened zone 135 may have a thickness of 1 mm or less.

In addition to the weakened zone 135 with a smaller thickness, aweakened zone 135 made of a low-melting-point material may also be usedto facilitate the melting thereof by the emissions. That is, theweakened zone 135 can have a lower melting point than the rest of thethermal management component 13. For example, the material of theweakened zone 135 has a melting point below 400° C.

It should be understood that the weakened zone 135 may be configured tobe made of a low-melting-point material and have a smaller thickness.That is, the foregoing two implementations may be implemented alone orin combination.

When actuated, the pressure relief mechanism 213 is deformed tocommunicate the inside and outside of the battery cell 20. For example,with respect to the pressure relief mechanism 213 using an indentation,when actuated, the pressure relief mechanism 213 is fractured at theindentation and opened toward two sides. Accordingly, the pressurerelief mechanism 213 needs a certain deformation space. In an embodimentof the present application, the recess 134 is configured as an avoidancechamber for enabling the pressure relief mechanism 213 to be opened whenthe pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated. The avoidance chamberprovides a deformation space for the pressure relief mechanism 213, suchthat the pressure relief mechanism 213 is deformed toward the thermalmanagement component 13 and fractured.

In the case of being used as an avoidance chamber, the recess 134 shouldbe arranged such that it meets the condition that the pressure reliefmechanism 213 can be opened when actuated. Specifically, a depth of therecess 134 is related to a size of the pressure relief mechanism 213. Asan embodiment of the present application, the recess 134 has a depthgreater than 1 mm. For example, the recess 134 may have a depth of 3 mmor more than 3 mm, so as to further facilitate the opening of thepressure relief mechanism 213. An area of the opening of the recess 134is also related to an area of the pressure relief mechanism 213. Inorder that the pressure relief mechanism 213 can be opened, a ratio ofthe area of the opening of the recess 134 to the area of the pressurerelief mechanism 213 needs to be greater than a certain value. Inaddition, in order to facilitate the damage to the side face of therecess 134 by the emissions, the ratio of the area of the opening of therecess 134 to the area of the pressure relief mechanism 213 also needsto be less than a certain value. For example, the ratio of the area ofthe opening of the recess 134 to the area of the pressure reliefmechanism 213 may range from 0.5 to 2.

When the pressure relief mechanism 213 is provided at the first wall 21a of the battery cell 20, at least a portion of the pressure reliefmechanism 213 may protrude outward from the first wall 21 a. This canfacilitate the installation of the pressure relief mechanism 213 andensure the internal space of the battery cell 20. Optionally, as shownin FIG. 10 , in an embodiment of the present application, in the casewhere at least a portion of the pressure relief mechanism 213 protrudesoutward from the first wall 21 a, the avoidance chamber may beconfigured to accommodate the at least portion of the pressure reliefmechanism 213. In this way, the first wall 21 a of the battery cell 20can be closely attached to the surface of the thermal managementcomponent 13, which facilitates the fixation of the battery cell 20 andcan also save space and improve the thermal management efficiency.Moreover, when the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, theemissions from the battery cell 20 can be discharged toward theavoidance chamber and away from the battery cell 20, thereby reducingthe risk resulting from the emissions, so that the safety of the batterycan be enhanced.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, a portion ofthe first wall 21 a around the pressure relief mechanism 213 protrudesoutward, and the avoidance chamber is configured to accommodate theoutward protruding portion of the first wall 21 a around the pressurerelief mechanism 213. Similarly, in the case where the portion of thefirst wall 21 a around the pressure relief mechanism 213 protrudesoutward, the avoidance chamber can ensure that the first wall 21 a ofthe battery cell 20 can be closely attached to the surface of thethermal management component 13, which facilitates the fixation of thebattery cell 20 and can also save space and improve the thermalmanagement efficiency.

In the above embodiments, provision of the recess 134 makes it possiblefor the thermal management component 13 to be damaged when the pressurerelief mechanism 213 is actuated. In addition to the recess 134, athrough hole may also be provided to make it possible for the thermalmanagement component 13 to be damaged when the pressure relief mechanism213 is actuated.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 11 , in an embodiment of the presentapplication, the thermal management component 13 is provided with asecond through hole 137, and the second through hole 137 is configuredsuch that the emissions discharged from the battery cell 20 can passthrough the thermal management component 13 via the second through hole137 when the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated.

Optionally, the second through hole 137 may be arranged opposite to thepressure relief mechanism 213. As such, when the pressure reliefmechanism 213 is actuated, the emissions may directly pass throughthermal management component 13 via the second through hole 137.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, in the case ofprovision of the second through hole 137, the part of the thermalmanagement component 13 around the second through hole 137 can bedamaged by the emissions from the battery cell 20, so that the fluid isdischarged from the inside of the thermal management component 13.

Specifically, when the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, theemissions from the battery cell 20 pass through thermal managementcomponent 13 via the second through hole 137. In addition, the emissionsalso damage portions around the second through hole 137. For example,the hot emissions melt the surrounding thermal management component 13,so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermalmanagement component 13, thereby cooling the hot emissions.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the hole wallof the second through hole 137 is configured to be capable of beingdamaged by the emissions, so that the fluid is discharged from theinside of the thermal management component 13.

When the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, the emissions fromthe battery cell 20 rush into the second through hole 137. Since theemissions have high pressure and high temperature, the emissions furthermelt the hole wall of the second through hole 137 when passing throughthe second through hole 137, so that the fluid is discharged from theinside of the thermal management component 13, thereby cooling theemissions.

Optionally, the radial dimension of the second through hole 137gradually decreases in the direction away from the pressure reliefmechanism 213. That is, the hole wall of the second through hole 137 isan inclined plane. This can increase the contact area with the emissionsand facilitate the damage by the emissions.

Optionally, similar to the foregoing recess 134, the second through hole137 should also be arranged such that it meets the condition that thepressure relief mechanism 213 can be opened when actuated. As anembodiment of the present application, an area of an opening of thesecond through hole 137 is related to an area of the pressure reliefmechanism 213. In order that the pressure relief mechanism 213 can beopened, a ratio of the area of the opening of the second through hole137 to the area of the pressure relief mechanism 213 needs to be greaterthan a certain value. In addition, in order to facilitate damage to thehole wall of the second through hole 137 by the emissions, the ratio ofthe opening area of the second through hole 137 to the area of thepressure relief mechanism 213 should also be less than a certain value.For example, the ratio of the area of the opening of the second throughhole 137 to the area of the pressure relief mechanism 213 ranges from0.5 to 2.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the pressurerelief mechanism 213 is arranged in the first wall 21 a of the batterycell 20 provided with the pressure relief mechanism 213, the first wall21 a is attached to thermal management component 13, at least a portionof the pressure relief mechanism 213 protrudes outward from the firstwall 21 a, and the second through hole 137 is used to accommodate the atleast portion of the pressure relief mechanism 213. In this way, thefirst wall 21 a of the battery cell 20 can be closely attached to thesurface of the thermal management component 13, which facilitates thefixation of the battery cell 20 and can also save space and improve thethermal management efficiency. Moreover, when the pressure reliefmechanism 213 is actuated, the emissions from the battery cell 20 can bedischarged toward the second through hole 137 and away from the batterycell 20, thereby reducing the risk resulting from the emissions, so thatthe safety of the battery can be enhanced.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, a portion ofthe first wall 21 a around the pressure relief mechanism 213 protrudesoutward, and the second through hole 137 is configured to accommodate anoutward protruding portion of the first wall 21 a around the pressurerelief mechanism 213. In the case that the portion of the first wall 21a around the pressure relief mechanism 213 protrudes outward, the secondthrough hole 137 may ensure that the first wall 21 a of the battery cell20 may be closely attached to the surface of the thermal managementcomponent 13, which is easy to fix the battery cell 20, saves space andimproves the thermal management efficiency.

It should be understood that, in addition to providing the thermalmanagement component 13 with a structure such that the thermalmanagement component 13 can be damaged when the pressure reliefmechanism 213 is actuated, the pressure relief mechanism 213 may be alsoprovided with a structure that enables the thermal management component13 to be damaged when the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the pressurerelief mechanism 213 is provided with a breaking device. The breakingdevice is configured to damage the thermal management component 13 whenthe pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated, such that the fluid isdischarged from the inside of the thermal management component 13. Forexample, the breaking device may be a spike, but this is not limited bythe embodiment of the present application.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, as shown inFIG. 12 , the battery 10 may further include an electrical chamber 11 aand a collection chamber 11 b. The thermal management component 13 isconfigured to isolate the electrical chamber 11 a from the collectionchamber 11 b. The so-called “isolate” here refers to separate, which mayor may not be sealed.

The electrical chamber 11 a is used to accommodate a plurality of thebattery cells 20. The electrical chamber 11 a may also be used toaccommodate the bus component 12. The electrical chamber 11 a providesan accommodation space for the battery cells 20 and the bus component12, and the electrical chamber 11 a may be shaped according to theplurality of battery cells 20 and the bus component 12.

The bus component 12 is configured to electrically connect the pluralityof battery cells 20. The bus component 12 may implement the electricalconnection between the battery cells 20 by connecting electrodeterminals 214 of the battery cells 20.

The collection chamber 11 b is used to collect the emissions dischargedfrom the battery cell 20 and the emissions from the thermal managementcomponent 13 when the pressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated.

In the embodiment of the present application, the thermal managementcomponent 13 is used to isolate the electrical chamber 11 a from thecollection chamber 11 b. That is, the electrical chamber 11 a foraccommodating the plurality of battery cells 20 and the bus component 12is separated from the collection chamber 11 b for collecting theemissions. In this way, when the pressure relief mechanism 213 isactuated, the emissions from the battery cells 20 enter the collectionchamber 11 b rather than the electrical chamber, or a small amount ofemissions enter the electrical chamber 11 a, so that the electricalconnection in the electrical chamber 11 a is not affected, and thereforethe safety of the battery can be enhanced.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the application, the thermal managementcomponent 13 is configured to make it possible for the emissionsdischarged from the battery cell 20 to pass through the thermalmanagement component 13 and enter the collection chamber 11 b when thepressure relief mechanism 213 is actuated.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the thermalmanagement component 13 has a wall shared by the electrical chamber 11 aand the collection chamber 11 b. As shown in FIG. 12 , the thermalmanagement component 13 may be both a wall of the electrical chamber 11a and a wall of the collection chamber 11 b. That is, the thermalmanagement component 13 (or a portion thereof) can be directly used as awall shared by the electrical chamber 11 a and the collection chamber 11b. In this way, the emissions from the battery cell 20 can enter thecollection chamber 11 b through the thermal management component 13.Besides, due to the existence of the thermal management component 13,the emissions can be isolated from the electrical chamber 11 a as far aspossible, thus reducing the risk resulting from the emissions andenhancing the safety of the battery.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the electricalchamber 11 a may be composed of a covering having an opening and athermal management component 13. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , acovering 110 has an opening (a lower side opening in FIG. 13 ). Thecovering 110 with the opening is a semi-closed chamber with an openingin communication with the outside, and the thermal management component13 covers the opening to form a chamber, i.e., an electrical chamber 11a.

Optionally, the covering 110 may be composed of multiple portions. Forexample, as shown in FIG. 14 , the covering 110 may include a firstportion 111 and a second portion 112. Two sides of the second portion112 have openings, respectively. The first portion 111 covers theopening on one side of the second portion 112, and the thermalmanagement component 13 covers the opening on the other side of thesecond portion 112, thus forming the electrical chamber 11 a.

The embodiment of FIG. 14 may be obtained through improvements on thebasis of FIG. 2 . Specifically, a bottom wall of the second portion 112in FIG. 2 may be replaced with the thermal management component 13, andthe thermal management component 13 acts as a wall of the electricalchamber 11 a, thus forming the electrical chamber 11 a in FIG. 14 . Inother words, the bottom wall of the second portion 112 in FIG. 2 can beremoved. That is, an annular wall with two opening sides is formed, andthe first portion 111 and the thermal management component 13 cover theopenings on the two sides of the second portion 112 respectively to forma chamber, namely an electrical chamber 11 a.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the collectionchamber 11 b may be composed of a thermal management component 13 and aprotective member. For example, as shown in FIG. 15 , the battery 10further includes a protective member 115. The protective member 115 isconfigured to protect the thermal management component 13, and theprotective member 115 and the thermal management component 13 form thecollection chamber 11 b.

The collection chamber 11 b formed by the protective member 115 and thethermal management component 13 does not occupy the space that mayaccommodate the battery cell. Therefore, the collection chamber 11 bwith a larger space therein can be provided, which may effectivelycollect and buffer the emissions and reduce the risk resulting thereof.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the fluid, suchas a cooling medium, or a component for accommodating the fluid, may befurther provided in the collection chamber 11 b to further cool theemissions entering the collection chamber 11 b.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the collectionchamber 11 b may be a sealed chamber. For example, the connectionbetween the protective member 115 and the thermal management component13 may be sealed by a sealing member.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the collectionchamber 11 b may not be a sealed chamber. For example, the collectionchamber 11 b may be in communication with the air, and as such, a partof the emissions may further be discharged to the outside of thecollection chamber 11 b.

In the foregoing embodiment, the thermal management component 13 coversthe opening of the covering 110 to form an electrical chamber 11 a, andthe thermal management component 13 and the protective member 115 formthe collection chamber 11 b. Optionally, the thermal managementcomponent 13 may also directly separate the closed covering into theelectrical chamber 11 a and the collection chamber 11 b.

For example, as shown in FIG. 16 , in an embodiment of the presentapplication, the thermal management component 13 is arranged inside thecovering 110, and separate the interior of the covering 110 into theelectrical chamber 11 a and the collection chamber 11 b. That is, theclosed covering 110 internally forms a chamber, and the thermalmanagement component 13 separates the chamber inside the covering 110into two chambers, namely the electrical chamber 11 a and the collectionchamber 11 b.

Since the electrical chamber 11 a needs a relatively large space toaccommodate a plurality of battery cells 20, etc., the thermalmanagement component 13 may be provided near a certain wall of thecovering 110 to isolate the electrical chamber 11 a with a relativelylarge space from the collection chamber 11 b with a relatively smallspace.

Optionally, as shown in FIG. 17 , in an embodiment of the presentapplication, the covering 110 may include a first portion 111 and asecond portion 112. A side of the second portion 112 has an opening toform a semi-closed structure. The semi-closed structure is a chamberwith an opening. The thermal management component 13 is provided insidethe second portion 112, and the first portion 111 covers the opening ofthe second portion 112. In other words, the thermal management component13 can be first placed in the semi-closed second portion 112 to isolatethe collection chamber 11 b, and then the first portion 111 covers theopening of the second portion 112 to form the electrical chamber 11 a.

Optionally, in an embodiment of the present application, the electricalchamber 11 a is isolated from the collection chamber 11 b by the thermalmanagement component 13. That is, the collection chamber 11 b is not incommunication with the electrical chamber 11 a, and liquid or gas, etc.in the collection chamber 11 b cannot enter the electrical chamber 11 a,so that the electrical chamber 11 a can be better protected.

FIG. 18 is an exploded view of a battery 10 according to an embodimentof the present application. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 18 , thethermal management component 13 is provided with a recess 134, and formsa collection chamber together with a protective member 115.

For the description of each component in the battery 10, reference canbe made to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated herefor brevity.

An embodiment of the present application further provides a powerconsumption device, which may include the battery 10 in each of theforegoing embodiments. Optionally, the power consumption device may be avehicle 1, a ship or a spacecraft.

The battery and the power consumption device of the embodiments of thepresent application are described above, and a method and a device forpreparing a battery of the embodiments of the present application willbe described below. For the parts that are not described in detail,reference is made to the foregoing embodiments.

FIG. 19 shows a schematic flowchart of a method 300 for preparing abattery according to an embodiment of the present application. As shownin FIG. 19 , the method 300 may include:

-   -   310, providing a battery cell 20, the battery cell 20 including        a pressure relief mechanism 213, the pressure relief mechanism        213 being arranged in a first wall 21 a of the battery cell 20,        and the pressure relief mechanism 213 being configured, when an        internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reaches        a threshold, to be actuated to release the internal pressure or        temperature;    -   320, providing a thermal management component 13, the thermal        management component 13 being used to contain a fluid; and    -   330, attaching a first surface of the thermal management        component 13 to the first wall 21 a, wherein the thermal        management component 13 can be damaged when the pressure relief        mechanism 213 is actuated, so that the fluid is discharged from        inside of the thermal management component 13.

FIG. 20 shows a schematic block diagram of a device 400 for preparing abattery according to an embodiment of the present application. As shownin FIG. 20 , the device 400 for preparing a battery may include: aprovision module 410 and an installation module 420.

The provision module 410 is configured to: provide a battery cell 20,the battery cell 20 including a pressure relief mechanism 213, thepressure relief mechanism 213 being arranged in a first wall 21 a of thebattery cell 20, and the pressure relief mechanism 213 being configured,when an internal pressure or temperature of the battery cell 20 reachesa threshold, to be actuated to release the internal pressure ortemperature; and provide a thermal management component 13, the thermalmanagement component 13 being used to contain a fluid.

The installation module 420 is configured to: attach a first surface ofthe thermal management component 13 to the first wall 21 a, wherein thethermal management component 13 can be damaged when the pressure reliefmechanism 213 is actuated, so that the fluid is discharged from insideof the thermal management component 13.

It should be finally noted that, the above embodiments are merely usedfor illustrating rather than limiting the technical solutions of thepresent application. Although the present application is illustrated indetail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those of ordinaryskill in the art should understand that they can still modify thetechnical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments, or makeequivalent substitutions to some of the technical features therein, butthese modifications or substitutions can be made to the respectivetechnical solutions without departing from the spirit and scope of thetechnical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

What is claimed is:
 1. A battery, comprising: a battery cell comprisinga pressure relief mechanism, the pressure relief mechanism beingarranged in a first wall of the battery cell, and the pressure reliefmechanism being configured, when an internal pressure or temperature ofthe battery cell reaches a threshold, to be actuated to release theinternal pressure; and a thermal management component for containing afluid to adjust a temperature of the battery cell; wherein a firstsurface of the thermal management component is attached to the firstwall, when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, emissions from thebattery cell are discharged toward the thermal management component, andthe thermal management component is configured to be capable of beingdamaged when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, so that thefluid is discharged from inside of the thermal management component;wherein the thermal management component is provided with a secondthrough hole therein, the second through hole being configured such thatemissions discharged from the battery cell can pass through the thermalmanagement component via the second through hole when the pressurerelief mechanism is actuated.
 2. The battery according to claim 1,wherein the thermal management component is configured to be damaged byemissions discharged from the battery cell when the pressure reliefmechanism is actuated, so that the emissions pass through the thermalmanagement component.
 3. The battery according to claim 1, wherein ahole wall of the second through hole is configured to be capable ofbeing damaged by the emissions, so that the fluid is discharged from theinside of the thermal management component.
 4. The battery according toclaim 2, wherein the hole wall of the second through hole is configuredto be capable of being broken through and/or melted by the emissions, sothat the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermal managementcomponent.
 5. The battery according to claim 1, wherein a radialdimension of the second through hole gradually decreases in a directionaway from the pressure relief mechanism.
 6. The battery according toclaim 1, wherein an area of an opening of the second through hole isrelated to an area of the pressure relief mechanism.
 7. The batteryaccording to claim 6, wherein a ratio of the area of the opening of thesecond through hole to the area of the pressure relief mechanism rangesfrom 0.5 to
 2. 8. The battery according to claim 1, wherein at least aportion of the pressure relief mechanism protrudes from the first wall,and the second through hole is used to accommodate the at least portionof the pressure relief mechanism.
 9. The battery according to claim 1,wherein a portion of the first wall around the pressure relief mechanismprotrudes outward, and the second through hole is used to accommodate anoutward protruding portion of the first wall around the pressure reliefmechanism.
 10. The battery according to claim 1, wherein the pressurerelief mechanism is provided with a breaking device, the breaking devicebeing used to damage the thermal management component when the pressurerelief mechanism is actuated, so that the fluid is discharged from theinside of the thermal management component.
 11. The battery according toclaim 10, wherein the breaking device is a spike.
 12. The batteryaccording to claim 1, wherein the second through hole is arrangedopposite to the pressure relief mechanism.
 13. The battery according toclaim 1, wherein a part of the thermal management component around thesecond through hole can be damaged by the emissions from the batterycell, so that the fluid is discharged from the inside of the thermalmanagement component.
 14. The battery according to claim 1, furthercomprising: an electrical chamber for accommodating a plurality of thebattery cells; and a collection chamber for collecting emissionsdischarged from the battery cells and emissions from the thermalmanagement component when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated;wherein the thermal management component is configured to isolate theelectrical chamber from the collection chamber, and the thermalmanagement component has a wall shared by the electrical chamber and thecollection chamber; and the thermal management component is configuredto enable the emissions discharged from the battery cell to pass throughthe thermal management component and enter the collection chamber whenthe pressure relief mechanism is actuated.
 15. A power consumptiondevice, comprising: a battery; wherein the battery comprises: a batterycell comprising a pressure relief mechanism, the pressure reliefmechanism being arranged in a first wall of the battery cell, and thepressure relief mechanism being configured, when an internal pressure ortemperature of the battery cell reaches a threshold, to be actuated torelease the internal pressure; and a thermal management component forcontaining a fluid to adjust a temperature of the battery cell; whereina first surface of the thermal management component is attached to thefirst wall, when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated, emissionsfrom the battery cell are discharged toward the thermal managementcomponent, and the thermal management component is configured to becapable of being damaged when the pressure relief mechanism is actuated,so that the fluid is discharged from inside of the thermal managementcomponent; wherein the thermal management component is provided with asecond through hole therein, the second through hole being configuredsuch that emissions discharged from the battery cell can pass throughthe thermal management component via the second through hole when thepressure relief mechanism is actuated.